Greytown look to hit ground running

Rugby

Defending Tui Cup champions Greytown are intent on making every post a winner when premier division club rugby kicks off in Wairarapa-Bush on March 23.

But at the same time club chairman Neil Morison is anticipating a tough slog if they are to repeat their deeds of last season.

"We're looking good but from what we hear there are several other clubs who are looking good as well," said Morison, who is rapt with the support being given his club by the local community. "It was nice to give something back to our supporters last year and hopefully we can do that again."

The retirement of Norm Henricksen will leave a big hole to fill in the Greytown middle row. He has been a stalwart of the club's premier side for something like two decades but in Regan Pope they have a youngster with the potential to develop into a more-than-adequate replacement.

Energetic lock Gareth van Dalen, prop Jayden Carter and loose forwards Kahn Fruen and Rihi Brown are other forwards with their best rugby ahead of them while experienced campaigners in current Wairarapa-Bush skipper, prop Kurt Simmonds, and and hooker PJ Freeman will also be on deck again.

In the backs Greytown will have one of the more potent midfield combinations in the top grade in the form of Tapaga Isaac and Teihana Brown and a couple of new signings, yet to be named, are expected to further boost the attacking qualities of the rearguard.

Making their debuts in the coaching role for Greytown premiers this season are Tony Lyford and Sam Mitchell and their support crew will include chairman Morison as manager and Geoff Higginson as trainer.

A warm-up match with Shannon last weekend saw a number of Kuranui College First XV players involved as fill-ins for premier division players who were not available and Morison said the strong relationship between that college and the Greytown club was not only beneficial to both parties, but for rugby as a whole.

And it was the same with the JAB with members of the Greytown premier division team often helping out with the coaching duties there and their teams using the same East Street facilities as their older counterparts.

"Last year the JAB teams were a huge inspiration for us with their banners and messages on finals day and that's the sort of club spirit you need to be successful," Morison said.